Ink-well.



V. L. LITTIG INK WELL. APPLICATION FILED APR. 2,

Patented June 2131910.

Suva/M3040 mnnzw a. GRAHAM cc" Pnutuumcsmmins WASHINGTON n.0-

TINT

rip.

INK-WELL.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VICTOR L. LITTIG, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Davenport, in the county of Scott and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ink-VVells, of which the following is a full and clear description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view; and Fig. 2 a vertical longitudinal sectional view of one form of ink well embodying my invention.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple form of ink well in which provision is made for insuring the closing of the ink receptacle after each use of the well and for preventing evaporation and the ingress of dust into the ink receptacle, as more fully hereinafter set forth.

The body a may be made of any shape and of any material; I have shown it in the form of a rectangular block of glass molded to shape.

The letter Z) designates the ink receptacle provided with an opening 0 in its top down through which the pen is inserted when dipped. This opening or mouth 0 is circular in shape and it is of less diameter than the horizontal diameter of the ink well proper b but it is sufficiently large in diameter to permit the pen to be dipped without touching its side.

The opening 0 is closed by a sphere d which is larger in diameter than the opening so that it rests upon the upper edge of the opening and extends partially into the opening. Its own weight holds it in position in the opening, it being unnecessary to make a frictional fit. This sphere is made of any suitable material, such for instance as rubber made solid or semi-solid. When it is desired to uncover the ink well, the ball is simply rolled to one side. I provide a lateral groove 6 communicating at one end with the opening 0 and at its other end with a pocket f, whereby the ball may be readily rolled away from the dip-opening in the pocket f where it rests until it is again desired to cover the well when it is rolled back again. The depression f is preferably circular but may be any other shape so long as it is deep enough to engage a sufficient portion of the ball to prevent the ball rolling ofl' the top surface of the block.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 2, 1910.

Patented June 21, 1910.

Serial No. 553,135.

A pen receiving groove 9 is formed in the upper surface of the block in such position that it intersects the rest-pocket f, the object of this position of the pen groove being to remind the user to replace the ball on the opening 0 when he is through writing and desires to place the pen back in the groove g, it being impossible for him to place the pen in the groove 9 without first rolling the ball to one side out of the same.

It will be observed that with this device the dipping-opening 0 may be made of considerable horizontal diameter, this being desirable in order that the user may readily dip his pen into the well without smearing it with ink by touching it against the side wall of the opening. With this construction it will be observed also that the well proper may be of considerable size so as to contain a considerable quantity of ink and yet be made so shallow that the user may touch the bottom in dipping without getting too much ink on the pen.

Preferably the bottom of the well, as shown converges toward the center so that practically all the ink may be used up before renewing the supply.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to se cure by Letters Patent, is

1. An ink well consisting of a body having formed in it an ink receptacle having an opening at its top, a supplement-a1 pocket in its upper face connected with the dip ping-opening by a groove in the upper face of the body, and a pen groove in the upper face of the body intersecting said pocket, and a sphere adapted to seat in the pocket.

2. In an ink well, a body having formed in it an ink receptacle whose mouth is in the upper face of the body, said upper face being also provided with a pocket or depression at a point to one side of said mouth and also with a pen-holding groove extending across said pocket or depression, and a closure device adapted to cover said mouth or to rest in said pocket, said closure device being rounded in cross section so as to adapt it to be rolled from the mouth opening into said pocket and vice versa.

3. An ink well consisting of a receptacle having an opening in its top, said opening being adapted to receive a spherical closure device, the top of said block having a lateral run-way extending laterally from the open- In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in this 31st day of March 1910.

VICTOR L. LITTIG. Witnesses:

CHARLES GRILK,

FRANCES E. PLATH.

the presence of two witnesses 

